I've just discovered that Howard Baker has sadly died at the age of 63. He has been director of music at St Mary's Cathedral Newcastle since 2000 and was an occasional poster on this forum. I knew Howard as a boy treble in the early 1960s when his voice soared around the lofty rafters in St Bede's, South Shields. Very much a traditionalist he also embraced modern liturgical music when the occasion demanded. He will be much missed at the cathedral, especially by his choir. Howard’s Requiem Mass will take place in the Cathedral on Monday 9 October at 12.05pm. Requiescat in pace.

Sad news. Howard was an active member of CCDM (the Conference of Catholic Directors of Music, the body for cathedral and diocesan music directors and other musicians working professionally in the Catholic Church in this country). He was due to host the 2018 conference in Newcastle, and three days before his death emailed the CCDM secretary apologising for not being able to do so. He signed off with 'sorry to be a nuisance'. Rest in peace, Howard.